In an office overlooking Faleolo International Airport, colleagues gathered this week to celebrate a significant milestone for the Air New Zealand team: 25 years of service by Air New Zealand Operations Manager, Muagututi’a Oliver Fidow.
For a quarter of a century, Fidow, known to many simply as Oli, has been a steady presence at the heart of Air New Zealand’s airport operations in Samoa. His anniversary marks not just longevity, but a legacy of dedication, leadership, and commitment to both the airline and the community it serves.
Air New Zealand’s relationship with Samoa stretches back more than 70 years, beginning with its first flight to the islands in 1952. Direct Auckland to Apia services began in 1979, with aircraft evolving over the decades from early Boeing models to today’s Airbus A321, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and 777-300. The route now brings more than 100,000 passengers into Samoa every year and carries over 200,000 kilograms of cargo out supporting tourism, exports, and countless family connections.
Fidow has witnessed much of that growth up close. He began his aviation career in 1987 with Polynesian Airlines before joining Air New Zealand in 2000. Since then, he has worked with five different country managers, numerous operational teams, and multiple shifts in government and industry—all while keeping the airline’s presence in Samoa running smoothly.
